7.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$300
Average Mileage:
59,600 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace latch (5 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)
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problem #6

Oct 302019

Escape XLT 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

My lift gate will open sometimes. Other times it won't and makes a sad sound.

- Jessie H., Gloucester, VA, US

problem #5

Jul 262018

Escape LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Both hinges on rear window disintegrated and left marks on window. Went to open it and the window fell. I have heard of this problem a lot with Escapes. This really could have been a safety problem. I travel on the highway every day, it could have flown out into another car and hurt someone.

- Christine S., Gloversville, NY, US

problem #4

Feb 012017

Escape XLT 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

Along with the rust on the wheel wells, apparently the faulty window seal on the tailgate has caused the tailgate to become inoperable.

The problem is that they admittedly had an issue with the seal on the window glass (yet another complaint) which allows water into the back tailgate and fries the button and or the actuator for the tailgate.

Luckily there are thousands of videos on how to fix this, but this is a $120 part for the actuator, another $25 for the button and if you want to fully resolve the issue another however much to get the new window glass seal.

- Tina R., Cannon Falls, MN, US

problem #3

Jul 012016

Escape Limited 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,253 miles

Motor on hatch stopped working. Greased/Oiled the latch and it worked temporarily. Replacement part is $170CDN + labour to replace. Shame that even that part is electronic and needs to be replaced at a premium priced where a simple hole/key would have prevented this from occurring in the first place. The trunk is useless without being able to open the door to it.

- imslovak, Toronto, ON, Canada

problem #2

Aug 222016

Escape XLT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,415 miles

I've heard of this happening often maybe they should recall

- Joy P., Ottawa, ON, Canada

problem #1

Nov 182015

Escape LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,862 miles

The car was only 19,862 but because it was 3 years old, Ford did not cover the warranty. The Liftgate Latch broke because of manufacturer's defects, I read on some reviews that water gets inside and damages the latch but they did not want to cover in warranty. After reading all the bad reviews about 2012 Ford Escape cars, I decided to trade it in and got a new Toyota Highlander because I did not feel safe on the Ford Escape. I will never buy a Ford car again. The Escape proved bad quality.

- Juanita Y., San Diego, US